THL Credit, Inc.: Is This 13.0% Yield Safe?

Is This Double-Digit Yield Too Good to Be True?

In this day and age, a company with a five-percent payout would proudly call itself a high-yield stock. So when THL Credit, Inc. (NASDAQ:TCRD) is offering investors a jaw-dropping yield of 13%, it’s only natural to ask if it’s too good to be true. That’s what we’re going to find out today.

For those not in the know, THL Credit, Inc. is a Boston, Massachusetts-based business development company (BDC). BDCs came into existence in the 1980s because U.S. Congress wanted to fuel job growth and help emerging businesses obtain financing. Today, most BDCs invest in small- and medium-sized businesses.

One important feature of BDCs is that they must return at least 90% of their profits to shareholders in the form of dividends. In return, BDCs pay little to no income tax at the corporate level. Thanks to this pass-through structure, BDCs have become some of the highest-yielding names in today’s stock market.

In the case of THL Credit, Inc., the company makes investments in the North American middle market, which it defines as companies with annual revenues of between $25.0 million and $500.0 million. In addition, it has a special focus on the lower-middle market. THL Credit’s target companies have annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of between $5.0 million and $25.0 million.

How does the company make money? Well, THL Credit is a lender. While the company makes both debt and equity investments, its primary focus is senior secured lending. By the end of the first quarter of 2018, approximately 65% of THL Credit’s portfolio was made up of first-lien loans. (Source: “Investor Presentation,” THL Credit, Inc., last accessed July 20, 2018.)

THL Credit, Inc. Is a Profitable Lending Business

What’s the big deal about first-lien loans? Well, if the borrower goes bankrupt, the asset it used as collateral would first be provided to the first-lien lenders as debt repayment.

By having most of its portfolio invested in first-lien debt, THL Credit has an added level of safety in its interest income stream.

Now, keep in mind that this lender has been targeting lower-middle-market companies. These businesses tend to be less established compared to large corporations, so it is more important for THL Credit to have a first-lien position on these loans.

The best part is, due to tightening banking regulations, commercial banks don’t usually lend to lower-middle-market businesses these days. That means small- and medium-sized companies have to pay higher interest rates to obtain financing.

And, as explained above, as a BDC, the investment firm has to pay out most of its profits to shareholders. Right now, the company pays investors quarterly dividends of $0.27 per share, giving TCRD stock an annual yield of 13%.

Of course, we have yet to answer the most important question regarding this double-digit yielder: is the payout safe?

In the first quarter of 2018, THL Credit generated net investment income of $0.27 per share while declaring a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share.

Although the amount was enough to cover the dividend, it did not leave any margin for error. However, there is something that can boost this investment company’s bottom line: rising interest rates.

You see, as of March 31, approximately 93% of THL Credit’s debt investments bore interest at floating rates. According to management, a 100-basis-point increase in the benchmark interest rate would allow the company to earn an additional $4.1 million in annual net investment income, while its annual interest expense would go up by just $1.7 million. In the end, THL Credit would earn an extra $2.4 million in annual net income. (Source: “Form 10-Q,” THL Credit, Inc., last accessed July 20, 2018.)

Furthermore, management estimated that, if the benchmark interest rate goes up by 200 basis points, THL Credit’s net income would increase by $4.9 million for the year.

Interest rates have been rising for quite some time. What’s more, the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to deliver two more rate hikes for the remainder of 2018. With a sizable portfolio of floating-rate loans, THL Credit could earn more profits in the upcoming quarters.

The Bottom Line on THL Credit, Inc.

For risk-averse income investors, THL Credit, Inc.’s thin dividend coverage in the most recent quarter means it’s not really a slam dunk.

However, given its safe payout last year and the potential of earning higher profits under rising interest rates, TCRD stock could be an opportunity for yield-seeking investors.

Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in investment vehicles with the best prospects for price appreciation can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research and analysis. We are 100% independent in that we are not affiliated with any bank or brokerage house. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate. Warning: Investing often involves high risks and you can lose a lot of money. Please do not invest with money you cannot afford to lose. The opinions in this content are just that, opinions of the authors. We are a publishing company and the opinions, comments, stories, reports, advertisements and articles we publish are for informational and educational purposes only; nothing herein should be considered personalized investment advice. Before you make any investment, check with your investment professional (advisor). We urge our readers to review the financial statements and prospectus of any company they are interested in. We are not responsible for any damages or losses arising from the use of any information herein. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners

Please wait...

Sign up to receive our FREE Income Investors newsletter along with our special offers and get our FREE report:

5 Dividend Stocks to Own Forever

This is an entirely free service. No credit card required. You can opt-out at anytime.